A python and a squirrel monkey have allegedly become the latest animals to die in mysterious circumstances at a disgraced zoo where two lynxes were killed earlier this year.
Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in Ceredigion, mid Wales, has been closed since November when a lynx was shot after escaping from its enclousure.
Shortly after, a second lynx died when it was accidentally strangled to death on a catchpole while a zoo worker was rushing to move her ahead of inspection.
A python and a squirrel monkey have allegedly become the latest animals to die in mysterious circumstances at a disgraced zoo where two lynxes were killed earlier this year – it is not clear if the python pictured is the python that died
Dean Tweedy gave up his life as an artist in Kent to buy a zoo in Wales. He moved there with his wife and their three daughters Paige, eight, Sarah, nine, and 13-year-old Sophie
It is now believed two further animals, a Burmese python and a squirrel monkey, have died since Lilleth the lynx escaped in November.
Dean and Tracy Tweedy took over the zoo in May 2017 after buying it from Jean and Alan Mumbray for £625,000.
The Mumbrays ran the zoo, then called the Borth Animalarium for 17 years before retiring.
Their son, Mark Cook told the Times the python ‘froze to death’ and the squirrel money ‘died because it wasn’t being fed properly’.
Ceredigion County Council shut the Borth Wild Animal Kingdom while they investigated the death of two lynxes but has now revealed it can only re-open if it agrees to get rid of its most dangerous animals
Mr Cook is calling for a post-mortem examination of the squirrel monkey, that one source claims died of ‘old age’.
He is also asking for a full record of all the animals that have died since the Tweedys took over the zoo.
He said: ‘There’s going to be none of them left if they continue like this.’
Ceredigion council have confirmed the python has passed away claiming it ‘had to be put down by a vet’ as it was suffering from stomatits, or inflammation of the mouth.
Mrs Tweedy said that all the animals had ‘proper veterinary care’ which is ‘more than they had before’.
It is now believed two further animals, a Burmese python and a squirrel monkey, have also died since Lilleth the lynx escaped in November, The Times reported
Dean and Tracy Tweedy have been banned from keeping dangerous animals after the scandal involving two dead lynxes – they are appealing the decision
The zoo remains closed while the owners appeal the council’s decision to ban the zoo from keeping category one animals
The zoo was previous banned from keeping dangerous animals after the scandal involving two dead lynxes.
Lillith the Eurasian lynx caused terror on the Welsh countryside when she escaped in October.
The wildcat, about twice the size of a domestic tabby, was shot dead 12 days later by a marksman employed by the council after police helicopters and baited traps failed to recapture her.
The wildcat, about twice the size of a domestic tabby, was shot dead 12 days later by a marksman employed by the council after police helicopters and baited traps failed to recapture her
The zoo remains closed while the owners appeal the council’s decision to ban the zoo from keeping category one animals
Another lynx, Nilly, was strangled to death by a member of staff while they were trying to catch Lillith.
The zoo was shut down and placed under investigation by Ceredigion County Council following the deaths.
Owners Dean and Tracy Tweedy claimed ‘none of the animals will be put down’.
The zoo remains closed while the owners appeal the council’s decision to ban the zoo from keeping category one animals.
In a statement a council spokesman said: ‘The report on Borth Wild Animal Kingdom, prepared by the expert zoological veterinary practitioner engaged by Ceredigion County Council, has been received and the authority’s position formalised
Before moving to Wales the couple lived in Milton Regis in Kent where Mr Tweedy worked as an artist and was known for painting more than 200 murals across the region
If they appeal fails the animals will be rehomed.
In a statement a council spokesman said: ‘The report on Borth Wild Animal Kingdom, prepared by the expert zoological veterinary practitioner engaged by Ceredigion County Council, has been received and the authority’s position formalised.
‘The council has served a series of proposed licence conditions and directions on the operators outlining in detail the requirements that must be complied with within specified timeframes.
Their impulsive purchase at the time was compared to Hollywood film ‘We Bought a Zoo’, which sees Los Angeles journalist Benjamin Mee, played by Matt Damon, buy a zoo with his family
‘The proposed licence conditions will restrict the keeping of Category 1 dangerous animals.’
Before moving to Wales the couple lived in Milton Regis in Kent where Mr Tweedy worked as an artist and was known for painting more than 200 murals across the region.
Mrs Tweedy worked as a psychotherapist.
The couple gave up their house in Kent to start a life in Wales, where they share their home with 300 animals including snakes, lions and crocodiles, as well as their three daughters Paige, eight, Sarah, nine, and 13-year-old Sophie.
Their impulsive purchase at the time was compared to Hollywood film ‘We Bought a Zoo’, which sees Los Angeles journalist Benjamin Mee, played by Matt Damon, buy a zoo with his family.